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Xylazine mixed with fentanyl or other opioids can increase the chances for fatal overdose because both drugs slow and stop breathing. More Chinese vendors are moving to password-protected websites, where access is given only to trusted customers. They are moving away from public social media accounts, for security reasons and because many companies, including Instagram and Reddit, have implemented rules that make it harder for illicit drug vendors to operate. Chen’s Facebook accounts were shut down last year, but he has created a new account. Chen adapted to the ban by selling fentanyl precursors, or what he called “hot products for research chemicals” — compounds that are only a few chemical steps away from a fentanyl analog and that are not always criminalized.
This is especially true for family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors and service providers in contact with people who use drugs other than marijuana. People who stimulants and non-opioid drugs (other than cannabis) are at significant risk of fentanyl overdose and should carry naloxone, as should people in contact with people who use drugs. Opioids are a legitimate drug for serious pain issues, such as for cancer patients and people who have undergone surgery, when prescribed by a doctor. What’s dangerous is illicit opioids – those not prescribed by a doctor but illicitly manufactured in a lab – and sold by drug dealers, often on the internet. The only safe drugs to take are prescribed by a physician, and even then, there is education to the patient about appropriate use.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Is it Legal to Buy Fentanyl Online?
The Relationship Between Suppliers And Vendors
Our research shows that it is likely that some Chinese brokers are actively involved in the sale of chemicals on the darknet. For example, we identified sellers on Incognito Market that shipped from China a number of the chemicals that are offered by most of the Chinese suppliers we studied. ASAP Market showing a listing of fentanyl, despite supposedly banning the sale of the drug. One dark web marketplace – the since-retired “ASAP Market” – was particularly selective about enforcing its apparent “no fentanyl” policy. The image below shows a listing disguised as “synthetic China White”.
No, it is not legal to buy fentanyl online. Fentanyl is a controlled substance, and it is illegal to possess or distribute it without a valid prescription. Buying fentanyl online from an unlicensed source is not only illegal but also dangerous, as the drug may be contaminated, counterfeit, or much stronger than expected.
- “Benjamin Chen is the real deal,” someone identified as a customer wrote in a Facebook post in December 2018.
- In a study about fentanyl sales on the dark web, a gram of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl was priced at an average of $1,470 for listings offering less than 5 grams.
- While it is possible for weed to be laced with opioids, it would be an inefficient delivery system for the drug despite this persistent myth.
- For years, China has been a primary source of fentanyl trafficked into the United States.
- The convenience of internet shopping attracts many young buyers to turn to social media and internet platforms, not only to buy ordinary goods but also medications.
Can I Get a Prescription for Fentanyl Online?
What Do Fentanyl Test Strip Studies Say?
It is possible to get a prescription for fentanyl online through a telemedicine appointment with a licensed healthcare provider. However, the provider must first conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if fentanyl is appropriate for the patient’s condition and if there are no contraindications or risks associated with its use. The provider must also ensure that the patient understands the risks and benefits of fentanyl and how to use it safely.
What are the Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online?
- Contamination: Fentanyl purchased online may be contaminated with other substances, such as other opioids, benzodiazepines, or even fentanyl analogs, which can increase the risk of overdose and other adverse effects.
- Counterfeit drugs: Fentanyl purchased online may be counterfeit and not contain any fentanyl at all. This can lead to the patient not receiving the necessary pain relief and potentially seeking out other sources of opioids.
- Overdose: Fentanyl is a potent opioid, and even small amounts can cause a fatal overdose. Buying fentanyl online increases the risk of overdose, as the patient may not be aware of the potency of the drug or how to use it safely.
- Criminal charges: Buying fentanyl online from an unlicensed source is illegal and can result in criminal charges, including possession and distribution of a controlled substance.
FAQs
Can I buy fentanyl online legally?
Drug Information
No, it is not legal to buy fentanyl online without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for treating severe pain and is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose and death in the United States are linked to illicitly made fentanyl. Illicitly made fentanyl is often found in counterfeit pills, which are made to look like prescription drugs or may be added to other illicit drugs such as methamphetamine or cocaine. Fentanyl is 50–100 times more potent than heroin, with a rapid onset of action and relatively short duration of effect [3].
Is it safe to buy fentanyl online?
No, buying fentanyl online from an unlicensed source is not safe. The drug may be contaminated, counterfeit, or much stronger than expected, increasing the risk of overdose and other adverse effects.
Can I get a prescription for fentanyl online?
Yes, it is possible to get a prescription for fentanyl online through a telemedicine appointment with a licensed healthcare provider. However, the provider must first conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if fentanyl is appropriate for the patient’s condition.
This means the illicit manufacturers are pressing a tablet to look like an oxycodone tablet, but it has no oxycodone – it only has lactose and fentanyl. People think it’s oxycodone, but it’s harder to get oxycodone on the black market than it is to get the fentanyl precursor. In the 1960s, Janssen Pharmaceutica (now part of Johnson & Johnson) created fentanyl – 50 times more potent than heroin and shorter acting, so it had really good use, they believed, for surgery. FDA agreed, and it was approved for use in surgical settings, where it has been used very successfully for decades.
What are the risks of buying fentanyl online?
The risks of buying fentanyl online include contamination, counterfeit drugs, overdose, and criminal charges. It is illegal to possess or distribute fentanyl without a valid prescription, and buying it online from an unlicensed source increases the risk of these consequences.
